Event Reviews - Love2Dance Fest 2009

Event Review: Love 2 Dance Fest 2009 by Ann Pelt

Carolyn & Rick, I do hope to be back in 2010 and am working to workout the details so I am sure you will hear from me by late spring. I wanted to express my sincere thank you to both of you, all your helpers & instructors for such a great weekend. I had a wonderful time. I wore myself out completely both physically and mentally but would not trade the experience for anything. The hotel was a great place to hold the Event and you were both most gracious. I can not begin to imagine all the hard work you put into making it so great but I truly thank you! I am using the new dances and getting great feed back on them. And still have many others to share with my dancers. I realize that one of the problems with the numbers in the beginner room was that so many of us love learning the harder dances but need all the beginner to intermediate dances to teach. I can only use a few harder dances so I am sure that contributes to the larger number in that room. And I thought you had a great group of instructors that were VERY friendly, very accessible and very patient not to mention exceptionally talented. I always learn so much from instructors by being their student and learning from them as I get to experience other teaching styles and points that I can put to good use. And the other dancers were so friendly and willing to share their dances and information. The DJ's were fantastic and the staff at the hotel were wonderful. Many, many thanks for all of your hard work and all the people who helped make it a wonderful experience! Thank you again!

Event Review: Love 2 Dance Fest 2009 by Ellen Kiernan (from Carol Craven's Newsletter)

My husband, Bill and I just returned to the frigid North East from sunny Myrtle Beach where we participated in the Love2Dance Fest, last weekend. Carolyn and Rick Robinson are warm and gracious hosts and they did a phenomenal job keeping everyone happy and dancing. I would like to thank them for inviting us to be part of their team. Carolyn and Rick and their teaching, DJ and auxiliary staff made us feel very welcome.

Instructors Joanne Brady, John Robinson, Junior Willis, Judy McDonald, Christopher Petre, Dancing Dean and Larry Bass along with some great local talent are not only good teachers, but they are consummate performers and tuns of fun to be with. We had a fabulous time.

DJ Olivia Ray played an all encompassing mix in the intermediate room each night and Mary Kay kept the beginners on their feet next door. I loved that the open dance rooms were back to back and sometimes opened into one. From the positive comments I heard, most attendees are already planning to return.

The hotel rooms were a big surprise. At $54 for a room and $64 for a full suite, even though I knew we would have an ocean view, I expected to be able to catch a glimpse of the water if I stood on the toilet seat (with the cover down) and craned my neck a little. When I opened our door I was stunned. All of the rooms in Carolyn's block had a full patio right on the beach edge, overlooking the hotel's beautiful oceanfront pools, lazy river and outdoor whirlpool spa, what a view. Myrtle Beach's average air temperature this time of year is 60 degrees, a little too cool for more than walking on the beach, but the hotel also had an inviting, heated indoor pool and hot tub, along with a large game room, gym facility and laundry. It's location on Ocean Drive and Main Street was very convenient. Out one door was the beach, out another, shops and restaurants.

Don't miss out on this one next year. Put your reservations in early, it is sure to sell out.

Event Review: Love 2 Dance Fest 2009 by Larry Bass (from Carol Craven's Newsletter)

I just returned from the Love2Dance Workshop in N. Myrtle Beach, S. C. The hotel and the scenery were fabulous, as it was right on the beach and the dancing was a blast all weekend. There was a beginner workshop room through out the entire event. These classes were full most of the weekend, as there were many first timers at the event. Each instructor taught in the beginner class twice during the weekend. I for one had a great time with the beginners as they were learning dances & footwork they'd never done before, but were always asking for more. They were learning at such a quick pace that I was able to teach 2-3 dances in a 50 minute class. One of the few complaints I heard was the beginner room was too packed with beginner dancers. Wouldn't most events like to have that problem? It wasn't that the room was too small, as the intermediate room was the same size and they were both BIG. The intermediate classes were packed as well with instructors Joanne Brady, John Robinson, Christopher Petre, Junior Willis, Judy McDonald, Dancin' Dean, Carolyn Robinson & me, Larry Bass teaching the hottest new dances. There was also a request room for the dancers to learn some of the golden oldie dances they requested before the event. Islands In The Stream, Syncopated Rhythm & Bosa Nova & others were taught by Francis Beasley, Judy Falconer & Tammy Lowe. With Olivia Ray & her band of DJs providing the music, we danced till 2:00 am, Friday & Saturday night. The theme this year was the 60's & all the instructors greeted the dancers in some of the most hippyfied (don't think that's a word, but it describes it perfectly) getups as you will see.

This was my second event I was invited to by Rick & Carolyn Robinson & it was great seeing so many of my dancer friends again. I can't wait till next year as we dress up for the 50's. Thanks again to all the volunteers & Rick & Carolyn for putting on sure a fun filled event.

Event Review: Love 2 Dance Fest 2009 by Dancin' Dean (from Carol Craven's Newsletter)

I want to send a big thanks to Carolyn, Rick, the staff and all the dancers that joined us in Myrtle Beach. We had a ball. Thanks to all that bought shoes too. It was much appreciated. I had a great time and look forward to next year. Loved the ocean view room ....Yay!!!
I hope to see you all there. Happy Dancing...

Event Review: Love 2 Dance Fest 2009 by Christopher Petre (from Carol Craven's Newsletter)

A big shout out to Carolyn & Rick Robinson for this past weekend's Love2Dance Fest in Myrtle Beach!

Formerly in the 'low country", this year's event was held at a great hotel right on the ocean. Just beautiful. Their largest and best fest so far, it was apparent from all the good things I heard that the dancers really enjoyed themselves. It was also apparent to me that the Robinsons put a lot of thought and effort to improve the weekend so that that the dancers would do just that!

With registrations already booked it is certain that dancers will have a great time there next year and Linz and I will see you there!

Event Review: Love 2 Dance Fest 2009 by Becke Bryant

Hi Carolyn & Rick, Just wanted to let you know what a great time I had at the event. I hope to be there again next year.
Thanks for everything.

Event Review: Love 2 Dance Fest 2009 by Julia Ann

The workshop was wonderful as always. My group really had a good time. It was a first for most of them. I do have a recommendation that on Sat. night after the show or whatever you have that the beg/interm room be divided. I think more of the beginner dancers would dance if they knew the song and dance that goes with it. I was also concerned with size of rooms but Rick did say they would be larger next year. Looking forward to Fest in 2010.

Event Review: Love 2 Dance Fest 2009 by Mary Kaye

What a great event! You guys put on a spectacular event last weekend. I didn't get to see much of the intermediate room, but I know that the beginner dancers looked like they had a great time! I really appreciate you hiring me to DJ for you again this year. I hope you were pleased with the way I handled the beginner room & kept the dancers on their feet during the evening dances. I went around and talked to the dancers to make the shy ones feel comfortable enough to request dances they knew. I also taught them a couple of quick-teach bonus dances during the evening that they seemed to enjoy.

Event Review: Love 2 Dance Fest 2009 by Bonnie Matthews

Just a quick response to let you know BC & I have our room for next year!! I was hobbling so badly and our room was perfect, right up the stairs one flight and one more flight for ice to put on it! I requested the same room since it was very convenient bad foot or not and they said they'd try to do so, but couldn't guarantee it. What a super hotel to work with!!